MiLaysia Fulwiley committed to South Carolina as a local star and one of the top players in her class. After two seasons of coming off the bench for Dawn Staley, Fulwiley decided to transfer to LSU. Five games into the season, Fulwiley is LSU’s leading scorer with around 17 points per game despite coming off the bench and not even averaging 20 minutes per game.
Her talent as a scorer has been on full display, but Coach Kim Mulkey is also challenging Fulwiley to take on more point guard responsibilities—a challenge that Fulwiley thinks is helping her grow as a player.
Fulwiley recently appeared on the We Need To Talk Now podcast and spoke about her experience since transferring to LSU and her new role. “I think it kind of opened my eyes up that I can be more than just a scorer. I can do a whole lot of other things that can help my team win,” Fulwiley said. “And it changed me in a good way because I think I wasn’t as interested in defense or getting a rebound or outletting the ball quickly or doing all the small things. So, I think it’s kind of helping me with all the intangibles and all the things that are going to help my game go to the next level.”
If Fulwiley can make lasting improvements while playing at LSU, it will improve her draft stock and potential in the WNBA
Fulwiley fits in well at LSU
Mulkey’s starting lineup currently consists of Mikaylah Williams, Flau’jae Johnson, ZaKiyah Johnson, Kate Koval, and Jada Richard. Fulwiley provides backup guard play and a scoring punch off the bench. She ranks fourth in assists per game and leads the team in points and field-goal attempts. Her most well-rounded two-way performance yet came against Tulane with 20 points on 7-12 shooting, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 8 steals, and 3 blocks.
While a talent like Fulwiley could certainly play more than between 13 and 25 minutes per game, she doesn’t need much time on the court to have an immediate impact on her team. Fulwiley is not afraid to put up shots and also makes a lot of them. Her worst shooting performance of the season was a 3-7 outing against SE Louisiana. She shot between 57 and 72% from the field in every other game, including a 5-6 3-point performance against the University of North Carolina.
Fulwiley is currently in her junior season and could be in for a bigger role with LSU next season. Once Flau’jae Johnson goes to the WNBA, LSU will be without one of its most consistent high-level guards. Johnson is the team’s second-leading scorer behind Fulwiley and the second-leading playmaker behind Mikaylah Williams. Her absence will create a big void in the starting lineup that Fulwiley could fill in her senior season.